Latching and locking contactor



21, 1967 M CULLEN AMIGH 3,310,771

LATCHING'AND LOCKING CONTACTOR Filed July 13, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 21, 1967 P. M CULLEN AMIGH 3,310,771

LATCHING AND LOCKING CONTACTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 13, 1964 R w WM m U c 1967 P. M CULLEN AMIGH 3,310,771

LATCHING AND LOCKING CONTACTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 13, 1964 INVENTOR. 7 /901 fficuuuv QM/Gh United States Patent 3,310,771 LATCHING AND LOCKING CONTACTOR Paul McCullen Amigh, Camp Hill, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. Filed July 13, 1964, Ser. No. 382,215 Claims. ((11. 339-217) This invention relates to a plug contactor of the type plugged into a receptacle to establish an electrical circuit ath. p The contactor of the present invention is more particularly related to the type of device which is adapted to be latched within a receptacle such as the aperture of a plugboard against accidental displacement and to be locked therein against being pushed therefrom. A number of prior art devices have been developed for this general function having rather different operating features; examples being shown in US. Patents Nos. 3,134,633, 3,008,118, and 2,779,929. While devices described in these patents have been generally satisfactory in use, each has a requirement of relatively complicated assembly procedure and close tolerance parts.

It is an object of the invention to provide a contactor having a latching and locking mechanism which lends itself to ease'of manufacture and assembly with relatively loose tolerance components.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a latching and locking contactor featuring a novel torsional spring action.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved spring construction for accomplishing a latching function within a contactor or like device.

It is still another object to provide a one-piece locking and latching contactor or like device.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawing in which there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention, but are given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in he art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the maner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the contactor including the components of one embodiment of the invention in an assembled form;

FIGURE 2 is an end-on view partially sectioned showing the details of the contactor of FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 3a and 3b are respectively, end-on and perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the spring member for use in a contactor like that of FIGURE 1;

FIGURES 4a and 4b are respectively end-on and perspective views of a further embodiment of a spring member for use in a contactor of the type shown in FIG- URE 1;-

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FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal section of the contactor of the invention showing a spring member similar to that of FIGURES 1-3 but of different material;

FIGURE dis a view of the spring member shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURES 7a and 7b areend-on and perspective views, respectively, .of an alternative spring construction similar to that of FIGURES 3a and 3b but of a different material;

FIGURES 8a and 8b are end-on and perspective views of a spring construction similar to that of FIGURES 4a and 4b but of a different material;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a one-piece embodiment of the contactor of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a perspective of the spring of FIGURE 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a perspective of an alternative version of the spring employed in the contactor of FIGURE 9.

Turning now to FIGURE 1 the contactor 10 includes connecting a Wire lead 12, a plastic insulating boot member '14 adapted to facilitate handling of the contactor and a forward barrel portion 20 adapted to fit within an aperture or receptacle and to carry a conductive path to the forward end thereof from the conductive strands of the core of lead 12. The contactor upon being plugged into an aperture or receptacle is used to engage a spring member connected to another lead and in standard fashion form a completed path for an electrical circuit. The barrel member 20 includes proximate the end thereof within boot 14, a ferrule portion 20a orimped or otherwise terminated to the conductive strands of lead 12 and integral therewith a portion 20b which tapers outwardly to a diameter larger than the diameter of the aperture in which the contactor is used. This serves to define a transverse face 230 leading to a portion of reduced diameter 20d which extends forwardly thereof and-serves to support the contactor relative to the Walls of the aperture or receptacle in which the device is used. At the forward end of 26d is an aperture struck in the side wall thereof, such aperture being shown as 202. The aperture 202 is in length sufficient to permit a detent member to protrude therefrom and extends radially in the manner shown in FIGURE 2 about an arc of the surface of 20d for purposes to be described.

Forwardly of aperture 202 is a tapered transition portion 20 which leads to a nose portion 20g of substantially reduced diameter, such nose portion being terminated in a beveled or rounded end portion 20h. The nose portion 20g serves as the principal contact path for the contactor thus carrying signals from the strands of the core of lead 12 through the crimp or termination point within 20a along the barrel to the surface of 20g. 20g is normally engaged by a spring member in the receptacle or aperture of the device in which the contactor is used. The bevel 20h serves to prevent sharp edges from scratching or otherwise abrading gold or other plating employed on the opposing contact spring. Carried within barrel 20 is a spring member 22 having at one end a detent 22a which is curved in its forward axial sense and in a rearward axial sense to engage the edges of the aperture or receptacle in which the contactor is used and to cam thereagainst to develop a radially inwardly directed force to operate the spring member. Preferably the outer surface of 22a is rounded radially as shown in FIGURE 2 to prevent sharp edges from damaging the receptacle in which the device is used by abrasion, scratching or chipping such. The detent 22a is supported and carried by an arm 22b which intersects the plane of 22a as indicated FIGURE 2. The spring arm 22e extends in a generally a spring arm 22c. Within the arm 22b is a depression struck inwardly and indicated as 22.0, which serves as a block to limit the inward travel of a nose member 24 when the detent 22a is in the outward position shownin FIGURE 2. The spring arm 22a extends in a generally axial sense back along the contactor barrel 20d and joins a mounting ring 221 which has an outer configuration such as to fit under spring pressure against the inner axial surface of barrel portion 20b and against the inner surface of the radial flange surface of 20c. This permits the spring member 22 to be inserted from the rear end of the bar-rel prior to the closure of the ferrule portion 20a, the member 20 being closed or compressed to snap outwardly and be locked within the barrel thereby.

Positioned within nose portion 20g is a nose member 24 having a forward rounded end 24a and a head disposed at the opposite end shown as 24b, which has a beveled or cammed surface 240. The diameter of head 24b at its greatest excursion is such that in axial movement the member 24 will be blocked by 22c against being displaced down within barrel 20d. As indicated the dimension of the main length of 24 is such as to permit the member to slide axially along and within 20g. A force applied to end 24a will operate to drive 24 inwardly such that the surface 240 will engage the arm 22b and particularly the depression 220 and cam thereagainst to hold the arm outwardly, thus holding detent 22a outwardly and preventing the contactor from being pushed out of the receptacle or plugboard aperture in which the device is used.

During the insertion or withdrawal of the contactor from a receptacle, the outer surfaces of 22a operate against the edges, forward and rear, of the receptacle to be cammed inwardly, the inward movement being unrestricted by 24 which has axial clearance to be displaced forwardly if engaged by the surface of 220.

The position of the arm 22b, detent 22a and spring 22e is such, relative to the center longitudinal axis of 29, as to provide a loading action which twists the arm 22:: and drives such in a torsional manner. Spring member 220 thus becomes a torsion spring being held against movement at the end opposite to 22b by the support 22] which cannot turn against the body of 20. At the contactor is inserted or withdrawn into a receptacle then, the forces engaging the outer surface of 22a will operate to drive the spring inwardly and 22e will be loaded in a torsional fashion with the arm 22b twisting such spring as it moves to the position shown in dotted outline in FIGURE 2. The annular disposition and length of aperture 20s is such as to permit the rotation in a radial sense of 22a and 22b, with the result that 22a is driven down within the outer surface of 20 to permit the contactor to be freely withdrawn or inserted.

It is contemplated that the member 22 may be made of any suitable spring material, such as steel; or brass, beryllium copper, Phosphor bronze, stamped and formed to the configuration shown and then hardened by heating to a proper temper for the spring characteristics desired. The torsion rod principle is generally well-known in mechanics to supply a defined spring action of long life and reliability. The spring characteristics within a given material and hardness can be further regulated by an appropriate choice of the width and length of 22c.

In FIGURES 3a and 3b an alternative version of the spring member of the invention is shown to include a double detent feature and such may be used with a contactor having a barrel 20 and a nose member 24 substan tially identical to that shown in FIGURE 1; with only the addition of a further aperture such as 20c, located opposite to that shown in FIGURE 1 to accommodate the additional detent member. The spring member of the alternative embodiment is shown as 32 and includes an upper member having a detent 32a carried by an arm 32b having an inner depression 320, all supported by torsion spring 32d which extends rearwardly to a mounting portion 32c. A lower member having a detent 32a is substantially identical to the upper member, except mounted in a reverse sense with respect to mounting portion 32e. Extending approximately a little more than half way along the length of the spring arm 32d is a relieved portion or slot 32 which serves to permit the support portion 32c, which is in effect C-shaped, to be closed down in compression during insertion within the contactor and further permits or assures a proper operation of the torsion arms without undue limitation from the spring arm support portion 32a. The lower and upper edges of the spring arms 32d and 32d bear against each other in use of the spring member of FIGURE 5 and the springs then twist about the line of contact between the two spring arms. In the spring relaxed state which is shown in FIG- URE 3a, the diameter of the head of 24 is such as to engage and be blocked from rearward travel by the depressions 32c and 32c of the two spring members.

A further alternative spring embodiment is shown in FIGURES 4a and 4b wherein a spring member 42 includes a first spring arm which is normally positioned on one side of the barrel of a connector body such as 20 to support a detent 42a carried by an arm 42b having a coneshaped flared-in portion 420. An arm 42d joins 42b to a support portion 42c which also supports a further spring member opposite thereto carrying a detent 42a supported by 42b having a cone-shaped flared-in portion 420' and a spring member 42d. The spring works in the torsion arm fashion described previously with the detents 42a and 42a being driven inwardly during insertion and withdrawal to load springs in torsion. The portions 420 and 420 serve to engage 240 to provide a locking action.

Referring now to FIGURES 5-8b there is shown as part of the invention an alternative spring construction similar in use and function to the embodiments of FIG- URES 1-3b, respectively, but drawn particularly to a spring version which employs wire rather than that of a stamping. In FIGURE 5 the features of 12, 14, 20 and 24 are substantially the same and a spring shown as 52 is secured therein as in FIGURE 1. Spring 52 includes a headed detent 52a supported by an arm 52b and a spring arm 52d carried by a mounting portion 52e, which is itself a C-shaped spring. The detent 52a is preferably integrally formed on the wire by a standard heading technique and has the generally spherical configuration shown to define an outer curved surface to operate with respect to insertion and withdrawal in a fashion identical to that of detent 22a described above. The surface of 52b is as indicated in FIGURES 5 and 6, disposed to cooperate with the rear face of a nose member 24 to provide the locking feature. FIGURE 6 shows the movement of 52a and 52b to permit contactor insertion and withdrawal.

FIGURES 7a and 7b show a version adapted for the use of a wire spring material wherein a spring construction 62 includes an upper detent 62a carried by a support 62b, a torsion spring arm 62d and a support spring 62e which supports a similar but oppositely oriented spring arm having a detent 62a and other similar portions. Proximate the rear portions of spring arms 62d and 62d is a slightly relieved portion formed to define a space 62f which permits the support 62c to itself operate in a spring fashion to be snapped within contactor barrel 20, as is 52e in FIGURE 5. In operation the detents 62a and 62a are driven inwardly to load the spring arm 62d and 62d in torsion. A pushing force will, as in the above embodiment, slide the head of a nose member 24 inwardly to block the inward radial travel of detents 62a and 62a.

FIGURES 8a and 8b show yet a further version including a spring member construction 72 having a detent 72a supported by an arm 72b and a torsion spring 72d carried by a support 72e which, on the side opposite to 72d, supports a further spring arm 72d having a detent 72a'. The detent supports 72b and 72b are oppositely oriented and slightly curved, such that upon insertion or withdrawal of the contact the detents are driven inwardly to load the respective spring arms torsionally and upon said inward movement of 24 be locked to lock 72a and 72a outwardly. I

Turning now to a further aspect of the invention, FIG- URES 9-11 show versions of a contactor employing a one-piece spring construction adapted to provide a latching and locking function. In FIGURE 9 the barrel 20 is identical to that described relative to FIGURE 1 to terminate a lead 12 in a boot 14. The spring member shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 as 82 includes a detent 82a supported by an arm 82b curved radially back along the interior of the barrel to join a spring arm 8211 which is joined to a support 82a formed outwardly to rest in the recess within 20c. Support 82e curves around within the recess to a reduced portion 82] which forms a cord relative to the barrel interior and extends across to a position short of entering the barrel recess. There, portion 82] bends again to extend back forwardly along the barrel interior in a further portion 82g, which then bends to extend out through the contactor in a portion 82h, suitably rounded as at 821. The portion $2 forms a spring adapted for movement as indicated by the dotted lines to permit an axial travel of 82/1, 82g upon forces being applied to 821'. The relaxed position of 8211 is such as to permit an inward disposition of 82a radially to load torsion arm 82d and provide the contactor latching feature. The displaced position of 82h which loads 82) is such as to block the inward movement of $2a and provide the cont actor locking feature.

The spring 82 is of the wire type previously described. FIGURE 11 shows a spring version 92 adapted for stamping as described relative to the embodiment of FIGURES l-3a. The detent 92a, support 92b, spring arm 92d, support 92c, portions 92 92g, 92h and 921' are for an identical function to that of the embodiment of FIGURES 9 and 10.

In both of the embodiments shown in FIGURES 10 and 11 the axial spring motion or give is provided proximate the support. It is contemplated that by thinning and bowing a portion along 82g and 92g an alternative or additional axial spring motion can be provided.

In the foregoing embodiments the relative proportions of the contactor as shown in FIGURES 1, and 9 are carried out consistently for various embodiments of spring construction relative to existing plugboard devices wherein a phenolic board having molded apertures therein is employed. The technique employed by the invention permits an alternative use in metallic boards which may be substantially thinner than the phenolic boards with the same or better structural characteristics. In such uses the barrel or support 20 would be shortened to shorten the distance between the aperture 20a and the flange 20c which define the bearing portions of the locking and latching mechanism of the invention with a similar shortening of the torsion spring arm and an adjustment of the material characteristics to accomplish a proper spring force. While the torsion arm has been shown as substantially straight and as positioned against a side wall, other configurations are of course contemplated wherein the relationship of the detent support member to the detent and to the spring arm is such as to provide a torsion action.

With respect to the embodiments of FIGURES 9-11, it is contemplated that different combinations of spring action other than the torsion arm could be employed, although the preferred embodiment is as shown.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only.

I claim:

1. A contactor adapted for insertion within a receptacle, comprising a barrel of a configuration to slidingly fit within the receptacle, said barrel including a forward end carrying a contact surface thereon' and a rearward end, an aperture proximate the forward end, a latching means secured in said barrel including a detent extending through said aperture to a point of engagement with an edge of the receptacle, a torsion spring fixed at said rearward end against rotation and extending along said barrel toward said forward end and including a crank arm connecting said spring to said detent and operable to bias said detent outwardly through said aperture to latch said cont-actor within the receptacle against axial movement.

2. The contactor of claim 1 wherein there is included a further latching means secured in said barrel including a further detent extending through an aperture therein to a point of engagement with an edge of the receptacle, a further torsion spring fixed at one end against rotation and having a further portion spaced therefrom linked to said further detent to bias said detent outwardly whereby to latch said contactor within the receptacle against axial movement.

3. The contactor of claim 2 wherein the said torsion springs are spaced apart and said portions are oriented to effect a commonly directed loading of said springs as the said detents are driven inwardly.

4. The contactor of claim 2 wherein the said torsion springs are in close proximity and the said portions are oriented to effect an oppositely directed loading of said springs as the said detents are driven inwardly.

5. The contactor of claim 2 wherein the said latching means are formed of one piece and include a common support having radial spring characteristics to fit into an enlarged bore of said barrel to hold said means against axial movement.

6. A contactor adapted for use within a receptacle, comprising a barrel with its center longitudinal axis extending in the sense of insertion or withdrawal of such contactor relative to said receptacle, a latching means secured in said barrel including a detent protruding through an aperture in said barrel to engage receptacle edges and latch said contactor against axial displacement, a spring member extending along said barrel and fixed at one end, the other end being positioned apart from the logitudinal center axis and tied to a support carrying said detent, the said suppoit being less in length than the inner diameter of said barrel whereby upon said detent being driven inwardly said support will load said member in torsion to provide a radial bias to said detent.

7. The contactor of claim 6 wherein said barrel includes a further portion on said center axis supporting a nose member which extends therefrom to receive forces applied to the end of the contactor, the said member being of a' configuration to slide axially in said further portion and including a head adapted to engage said latching means to block inward movement of said detent to lock said contactor from being pushed from said receptacle.

8. A contactor for insertion within a receptacle, comprising a barrel of a configuration to slidingly fit with the receptacle, a latching means secured in said barrel including a detent extending through an aperture therein to a point of engagement with an edge of'the receptacle, a torsion spring fixed at one end against rotation and extending along said barrel, said spring being free at the opposite end and having thereon a crank arm linked to said detent to bias said detent outwardly whereby to latch said contactor with the receptacle against axial movement, a locking means adapted for longitudinal movement to a point of engagement with said detent to block inward movement thereof to lock said contactor with the receptacle including spring means biasing said locking means axially to a point of disengagement with said detent.

9. The contactor of claim 8 wherein said latching means and said locking means is of one piece.

10. A contactor adapted to be latched against Withdrawal and locked against push-out of a receptacle including a barrel having a forward nose bored along the barrel longitudinal center axis, a latching and locking means including a spring member having a detent at one end driven by a torsion bar carrying a crank arm in turn carrying said detent with said torsion bar positioned to cause said detent arm to extend out of said barrel through an aperture therein to latch said contactor, a further spring member biasing a nose member formed on the other end of said means and forwardly to extend through said nose to receive axial forces and be driven thereby to a position to block said detent and lock said contactor.

15 EDWARD PATRICK References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1944 Hannigan 33926O 11/1952 Bedford 339-128 2/ 1964 Solorow et al. 229256 5/1964 Hatfield 3392l7 7/ 1964- Bonhom'me 339-256 11/1965 Schultz 339-256 FOREIGN PATENTS 6/1962 France.

C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

A. CLIFFORD, Examiner. 

1. A CONTACTOR ADAPTED FOR INSERTION WITHIN A RECEPTACLE, COMPRISING A BARREL OF A CONFIGURATION TO SLIDINGLY FIT WITHIN THE RECEPTACLE, SAID BARREL INCLUDING A FORWARD END CARRYING A CONTACT SURFACE THEREON AND A REARWARD END, AN APERTURE PROXIMATE THE FORWARD END, A LATCHING MEANS SECURED IN SAID BARREL INCLUDING A DETENT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURE TO A POINT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH AN EDGE OF THE RECEPTACLE, A TORSION SPRING FIXED AT SAID REARWARD END AGAINST ROTATION AND EXTENDING ALONG SAID BARREL TOWARD SAID FORWARD END AND INCLUDING A CRANK ARM CONNECTING SAID SPRING TO SAID DETENT AND OPERABLE TO BIAS SAID DETENT OUTWARDLY THROUGH SAID APERTURE TO LATCH SAID CONTACTOR WITHIN THE RECEPTACLE AGAINST AXIAL MOVEMENT. 